CHELSEA transfer target Rafael Leao has brushed off Antonio Cassano’s claim he is not good enough for the best teams in Europe.
Leao helped AC Milan to the league title last season and was named Serie A’s Most Valuable Player.
2
2
He has subsequently been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea but Cassano does not believe he is good enough to start regularly for a top club in Europe.
The former Milan and Real Madrid star criticised Leao’s lack of goals and claimed he is not worth his reported price tag.
Cassano told Bobo TV: “He would not be a regular starter in the best teams in Europe.
“Liverpool have Luis Diaz. Barcelona have Ansu Fati who is 19-year-old. Leao plays in Serie A, not a top league.
“To me, [Jadon] Sancho and [Marcus] Rashford are better than Leao, Sancho is phenomenal. Leao is a mix between [Ousmane] Dembélé and [Anthony] Martial.
“He is not worth £130m he doesn’t score 50 goals per season, therefore he doesn’t really make the difference.”
Leao, 23, responded to the criticism by liking an article on Twitter that reported Cassano’s quotes.
The Portgual international previously liked a meme comparing him to Milan flop M’baye Niang – showing the criticism is water off a duck’s back.
Leao has started the season well and scored in the 3-1 win over Empoli on Saturday – his fourth in seven league games this season.
Chelsea continue to show interest too with Graham Potter also a huge fan of the winger.
He said: “I’ve been really impressed with Rafael Leao whenever I’ve watched Milan games, he’s a top player.
“In terms of what happens in the future, who knows whether he can do this in Premier League or not.
“He’s got the capability, for sure.”
